Jan Aushadi stores

The Health and Medical Education Department has impressed upon Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Block Medical Officers (BMOs) in Kashmir to ensure the availability of Jan Aushadi stores in all Primary Health Centers (PHC) and New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) and in their jurisdiction.In order to make quality medicines available at affordable prices, the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, had launched the Jan Aushadhi Scheme under which generic medicines are to be made available through special outlets known as "Jan Aushadhi Generic Drug Stores". A senior official said that the lack of Jan Aushadi stores at PHC and NTPHC across J&K has been taken a heavy toll on people who cannot afford generic medicines at higher prices. The issue has been taken seriously by Additional Chief Secretary Health & Medical Education Department of J&K Vivek Bhardwaj.The official said that directions have now been passed by Vivek Bhardwaj to health officials to make ensure that in every district, there is a Jan Aushadi store in their jurisdiction and at PHC and NTPHC. A circular in this regard has been issued by the Director of Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Rather.“Consequent upon directions received from Additional Chief Secretary Health & Medical Education Department UT of J&K regarding the up-gradation of Jan Aushadi stores in Kashmir Division, it is impressed upon all the Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents & Block Medical Officers of Kashmir Division to ensure the availability of Jan Aushadi Stores in all PHCs & NTPHCs in their jurisdiction”, it added.“Pertinently the proposals for opening of New Jan Aushadi / AMR1T Stores submitted by the Chief Medical Officers needs to be increased as the 47 PHCs/NTPHCs in Kashmir division are very less and has been viewed seriously by Additional Chief Secretary Health & Medical Education Department UT of J&K”, the circular added.Further, all the CMO's have been directed to submit the relevant documents for approval of Jan Aushadi Stores proposed by them in the third phase.